The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth A Report for the South London Partnership October 2017 South London Partnership The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth October 2017 www.regeneris.co.uk The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth Contents Page Executive Summary i 1. Our Tech Sector Growth Framework 1 2. Foundations for Success 8 3. The Case for Action 35 4. Actions to Support the Growth Framework 37 6. Roles, Responsibilities and Resources 49 The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth Executive Summary i. This report provides a framework to support the growth of the South London Tech Sector; a sector which is growing, dynamic and increasingly important to the wider economy of London and the greater South East. ii. The Tech Sector is already a significant component of the South London Partnership (SLP) economy (encompassing Croydon, Richmond, Kingston, Merton and Sutton). It employs 17,000 people, is home to 6,500 businesses and is valued at £1.8 billion of GVA per annum. The sector has also seen considerable business growth, expanding by nearly 50% in the last five years, whilst benefitting from a highly skilled labour market of almost 7 million people. iii. The sector will play a vital role in the future evolution of our economy and the delivery of our Growth Proposition. It will act as the conduit for the commercial exploitation of innovation and technology, underpinning regeneration and reinforcing an already strong business and employment base. Exploiting Assets and Overcoming Challenges iv. We anticipate that technology will continue to disrupt and afford new opportunities for sub-sector specialisms in our area, including those rooted in science, manufacturing and professional service-based industries. Alongside our strong asset base and significant locational advantages, this forms the rationale for SLP strategic intervention and investment. v. The foundations for South London’s continued Tech Sector growth are predicated on: Exceptional tech and enterprise assets, including hubs, incubators, contemporary workspaces, educational institutions and innovation centres. An inherently enterprising and entrepreneurial economy High quality knowledge, skills and innovation infrastructure An extensive and grass roots driven network and support ecosystem A track record of investment and access to financial markets i The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth The quality of our live, work and play environment. vi. The Borough level distinctiveness of South London is also key in shaping future Tech Sector growth. Each exhibit unique characteristics, from sub-sector specialisation and the nature of local assets, to the type of future sector development potential and the extensiveness of wider Science and Tech sector capabilities. This distinctiveness is complementary, meaning that each Borough provides a nuanced tech proposition, whilst also contributing to the collective offer of the SLP area as a progressive and growing tech-based economy. vii. Issues driving the case for action are also varied, with some challenges being more acute in certain Boroughs, more than others. Our ambitions for the sector are framed by an understanding of the scale of these opportunities and challenges, thereby channelling resources towards areas where the greatest impacts can be made. We have therefore prioritised our focus for intervention around four primary aims: Supporting the development of established tech centres and emerging ‘elevators’ across South London Embedding tech across the wider South London economy Maximising the inclusive benefits associated with the growth of the Tech Sector To raise the profile of South London as being at the heart of a globally significant tech region viii. Factors that are acting as particular barriers to growth include: Access to modern, flexible and affordable workspace (including the protection of existing provision) Skills aligning with employer needs and systematic skills gaps The need for the expansion of organic tech networks Continued investment in digital infrastructure the need to evolve the distinctiveness and awareness of South London’s identity as an investable tech location ii The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth Delivering Tech Sector Growth Collectively ix. Our response reflects our desire to adopt a partnership approach, such that we deliver consistently, enhance local distinctiveness, capitalise on South London’s scale and deploy scarce resources efficiently. We also recognise the importance of channelling public sector resources carefully and not at the expense of existing local interventions within our existing tech community. x. There is inherent value in the SLP’s location at the heart of a wider and globally-significant tech super region, which incorporates Greater London and Coast 2 Capital (C2C) and Enterprise M3 (EM3) Local Enterprise Partnerships. Significant and exciting opportunities are presented, within this wider context, building on collective strengths, influence and the sharing of assets which are critical to Tech Sector growth. xi. Delivery will be secured through collaboration, where we focus resources where we can utilise our influence and strategic remit to best effect. A myriad of partners, including our Boroughs, will be integral to taking forward activities, accessing funding, utilising assets and building on existing initiatives. xii. We will adopt robust governance to formalise new strategic relationships and to support the delivery of on-the-ground activity. In this context, we will use our collective strengths to access and harness funds from a variety of sources. What Next: Our Immediate Priorities xiii. To ensure this Growth Framework initiates local action and to set a strong foundation for a programme of future interventions by SLP and its partners, we have recommended a series of immediate priorities. We anticipate these will be delivered or underway within a one-year period, from the launch of this Growth Framework. xiv. These are: Supporting the development of new and expanded workspace and protect current stock, to meet the needs of start-up and growing tech-based businesses. Promoting and extending the reach of Tech Sector networks and peer to peer support activities, to develop a thriving and organic ecosystem. iii The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth Supporting an educational system that embeds digital skills at the heart of the curriculum to reflect evolving business demands. Facilitating and enabling the integration of technology and innovation within wider sectors, which have scope for growth within South London. Developing formal partnership arrangements with neighbouring LEPs, to deliver towards commons goals through effective governance. iv The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth 1. Our Tech Sector Growth Framework 1.1 The South London Partnership (SLP) sub-region is ‘open for business’. Diverse, thriving, undergoing a period of exciting and expansive change, whilst also being an important part of the preeminent global city. 1.2 Across the five SLP Boroughs of Croydon, Merton, Kingston, Sutton and Richmond, considerable physical and economic growth is projected, while major regeneration schemes and large-scale investments in connectivity will accentuate the locational advantages of the sub-region. 1.3 The SLP is outward-facing and committed to exploiting the strengths of its SLP Growth Proposition: partnership spanning five London Boroughs and beyond. The SLP Growth Collective Ambitions Proposition, published in 2016, reflects A Programme for Economic Growth these opportunities and outlines the collective ambitions for the area and its Skills for Jobs future prosperity. Making the Links 1.4 In parallel, our Local Authority partners More than the Sum of the Parts have developed distinct Borough level Making Best Use of our Space economic development policies, which articulate the investment priorities that will deliver sustainable growth and competitive advantages. 1.5 The Tech Sector has an important role to play in the delivery of our Growth Proposition and Borough-specific economic plans. The sector will act as the cornerstone for future economic growth, inform skills that are key to employability across a myriad of sectors, establish stronger links between enterprise, educators and key assets across the five Boroughs, be a true beacon of the value and investment potential of the SLP area 1.6 Supported by Regeneris and Sharp Business Insights, we have undertaken detailed research to establish the current characteristics and performance of the sector within the sub region, and to provide a framework to support its future growth. 1 The South London Tech Sector: A Framework for Growth What is The Tech Sector? 1.7 The Tech Sector, is a significant and growing component of the UK economy. It is also a critical source of national competitive advantage, in the context of an increasingly globalised digital marketplace. 1.1 The Tech Sector is inherently difficult to define specifically, given its rapid evolution and the degree to which it is influenced by technological advances. An understanding of the sector and its nuances continues to be refined and there are number of new evidence sources, which provide a valuable framework for analysis. 1.2 This study focuses on two Tech Sector definitions: 1) Digital Tech Sector – as defined by Tech Nation, emphasising enterprise that is built around core digital competencies and is